COVID19 Factors We Should Consider/Current Events

[Jason Donaldson]

Only one question: why two "Y"s?

The short answer is that both Russian and Ukrainian have more vowels in their respective Cyrillic alphabets than we have in ours, preventing simple, one to one mapping.

[David A. Rowe]

Yes, I spent 15 years with BAE Systems. But we are not talking about export control.

No, but it's an easy way for me to make a rapid assessment about your position and experience beyond what you've already stated.

I'm in my mid 30s. I'm guessing you're about to make some equivalency between those conflicts and the West defending themselves from a Russian invasion?

Nope. Just wondering your age, experience and previous exposure to multi-nation coalitions engaging in armed conflict.


Gentlemen, thank you for your timely responses, but I must decline any further comment regarding the threads of discussion you were participating in.

[IlPrincipeBrutto]

https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status...35340582289614

This is an amazing thing to see.

I watched the whole 49 minutes of it. For 41 minutes, it's pretty much a nothing burger.
Then, Z has a brain fart and decides to make a point to the VP. And, imho, makes four increasingly consequential mistakes.

First, some things should be discussed behind closed doors, not in front of cameras.

Second, the VP has the rhetoric toolbox to cut most people to pieces, you should not engage with him on that level unless you have a comparable rhetorical toolbox.

Third, derived from the second, you don't want a verbal fight with someone like the VP, who has a masterful command of the English language, if your vocabulary is High School at best. At the very least, use an interpreter, who will also give you time to think about what to say.

Fourth, and fatal; as someone pointed out, Z completely failed to read the room. Other people would probably have ignored his barbs, made a little joke and returned the conversation back on the inanity track it had been following (and then proceeded to wipe the floor with him behind closed doors). But President Trump and VP Vance are not like that, and this should be obvious to anyone with a pulse. Instead of diplomatically ignoring what Z said, they stuck to character and replied in kind, and then some. Was this unnecessary and offensive to consolidated diplomatic customs? Most likely. But it is what it is, and before you step into the Oval Office you should do your research and bear this in mind, which Z clearly failed to do.

IPB

[Mark Rippetoe]

Got the present, IPB. Many thanks.

[vkp78]

European Union spent more on Russian gas than Ukraine aid in 2024 | Fox News

[IlPrincipeBrutto]

Got the present, IPB. Many thanks.

Blimey, that was quick!

IPB

[Mark Rippetoe]

This pretty cool, and very clever: Hegseth Restores Fort Moore to Fort Benning in Honor of WWI Soldier > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

The installation will now be renamed in honor of Army Cpl. Fred G. Benning, who "served with extraordinary heroism during World War I with the United States Army, and in recognition of the installation's storied history of service to the United States of America," the memo reads.

Originally established and named Camp Benning in October 1918 after Civil War-era Confederate Gen. Henry L. Benning, the installation kept Benning's name until being renamed Fort Moore — after Army Lt. Gen Hal Moore and his wife, Julia Compton Moore — in May 2023.

A native of Norfolk, Nebraska, Cpl. Benning enlisted in the Army in April 1917 at the age of 17. After completing basic training, Benning deployed to Europe and "served with distinction with the 16th Infantry Regiment," according to the memo.

The Army awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to Benning for "extraordinary heroism in action" during events that took place Oct. 9, 1918, south of Exermont, France. (Benning received his award via U.S. mail, as he declined to have it presented to him with military honors. Officers at Benning's local recruiting office stated that such modesty was emblematic of the spirit of soldiers who have merited such awards, according to a local newspaper clipping from the time).

[Drew07]

I watched the whole 49 minutes of it. For 41 minutes, it's pretty much a nothing burger.
Then, Z has a brain fart and decides to make a point to the VP. And, imho, makes four increasingly consequential mistakes.

First, some things should be discussed behind closed doors, not in front of cameras.

Second, the VP has the rhetoric toolbox to cut most people to pieces, you should not engage with him on that level unless you have a comparable rhetorical toolbox.

Third, derived from the second, you don't want a verbal fight with someone like the VP, who has a masterful command of the English language, if your vocabulary is High School at best. At the very least, use an interpreter, who will also give you time to think about what to say.

Fourth, and fatal; as someone pointed out, Z completely failed to read the room. Other people would probably have ignored his barbs, made a little joke and returned the conversation back on the inanity track it had been following (and then proceeded to wipe the floor with him behind closed doors). But President Trump and VP Vance are not like that, and this should be obvious to anyone with a pulse. Instead of diplomatically ignoring what Z said, they stuck to character and replied in kind, and then some. Was this unnecessary and offensive to consolidated diplomatic customs? Most likely. But it is what it is, and before you step into the Oval Office you should do your research and bear this in mind, which Z clearly failed to do.

IPB

The VP needs to be more precise in his "masterful" use of the English language. I'm sure no offence was meant, but why not remove any doubt?

[Yngvi]

I watched the whole 49 minutes of it. For 41 minutes, it's pretty much a nothing burger.
Then, Z has a brain fart and decides to make a point to the VP. And, imho, makes four increasingly consequential mistakes....
IPB

What Zelensky did was intentional; he agreed to a deal, then thought he could get away with strong-arming Trump into a different deal by embarrassing him in front of the cameras.

Zelensky never has been a leader or a smart man; he is a theater kid playing president and puppet, nothing more.

What a gross thing to be gleeful about.

I am as gleeful about it as I ever get, because they deserve it.

____________________

I am surprised they are being so open about it so soon, but....
A couple of month ago, I said this would happen:
The European Commission is headed to India. Here’s what to know about the landmark visit. - Atlantic Council
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE8z3VD7Dtk
(Note, the description of Jonathan Pollard from the israeli media channel calls him a "hero". He spent many years in jail before being deported to israel after being convicted of charges of espionage against the United States.)

Summary:
-More Indian immigration to the EU/Western countries to strengthen bonds with India in order to counter the overblown and astroturfed "China threat".
-israeli spy says the port for exports from India's new belt and road style corridor will be in Gaza after Palestinians are removed.

[Stump]

This pretty cool, and very clever: Hegseth Restores Fort Moore to Fort Benning in Honor of WWI Soldier > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

He did the same with Bragg here in NC.